I Choose to Believe in the Power of the Priesthood

I especially choose to believe in a time like this! 2020 has been a year like no other. I know that each one of us could share with one another, the sorrows and challenges, as well as the joys and blessings we have had and felt! From sickness, financial loss, difficult family dynamics, death of loved ones to blessings of worshiping in our homes and being together as families and feeling the love of our Savior in the midst of it all.

I’m a nurse and work in a newborn intensive care unit. Yesterday, as I was working, a father asked if we could find an LDS elder to help give his baby a blessing. A call was made over head by the hospital operator and shortly after, one of our physicians came to assist with the blessing. The curtain was pulled quietly, as both men stepped up to the bed where this sweet baby boy laid. I have seen and heard many blessings given throughout the years I have worked as a nurse. This one was different. The doctor who anointed has a distinct, strong voice. As I sat at my computer and listened to his voice, I was overwhelmed with the spirit and brought to tears. I knew at that moment, God our Father was listening to the words of that blessing. By the power of Christ’s name, the blessing of anointing and healing was being given by two worthy priesthood holders. One of which was the father of this baby boy and felt the faith of both men so strongly.

In spite of what is happening in our world today, I choose to believe in the power of the priesthood. The love our Heavenly Father and his Son have for us, will help us overcome any pain or sorrow, as well as feel joy and happiness during these challenging times.

May each one of you sisters be blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I say these things in His name, amen.

~Jessica Steele

In Uncertainty and Chaos, Choose to Lean on What You Do Know

Why do I choose to believe? Because my Heavenly Father knows me: my name, my insecurities, my history, my mistakes, my dreams, and my potential. He provides trials opportunities that make me grow, and blessings that I don’t deserve. The more I study the scriptures and the gospel, the more sense it makes to my spirit. Obviously, not everything makes sense to my mind, especially during these times when injustices are exposed, and chaos is all around us. 2020 as a whole isn’t making sense! But when I reflect on what I do know – that priesthood power is real, that the Holy Ghost is quiet, that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have patience when the world around me doesn’t, I choose Them. I choose the peace They bring. I choose the comfort They provide. I choose Their Plan of Happiness and Their Good News. I choose to look to the leaders They have selected, and I sustain, human though they are. We are all in this perfect testing ground – and what a test it is! I love my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, and I know they love me. I’ve felt their love in the quiet times, and that love sustains me in the chaotic times.

~Maren Lythgoe

The Importance of Fathers

Photo from LDS.org.
Used by permission.

Enjoy these testimonies of the importance of fathers, by women in our stake.

I have always appreciated the emphasis my Dad has put on the value of education. Along with that, I know he always believed in me and wanted me to succeed in being able to do hard things and have great experiences.
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My dad is the best example to me of scripture reading. He never misses a day. He said it has just become a habit because he makes time for it every day. Someday I hope to be more like him.
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My old bishop stops by now and again to check on me and my kids. He always gives all of us priesthood blessings.
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My father-in-law was very honest and humble. He found a dime in a phone booth and returned it to the phone company. He also gave much to others.
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My husband did not always have a father in his home and today doesn't have a father in his life. Yet you would think that he had the greatest father because of the kind of father he is. He never wants his kids to go without and is always anxious to support them in all they do.

An Unshakable Testimony of the Prophet Joseph

by Heather Hughes 
From a talk given to the Stone Creek Ward on June 12, 2016

Seven and a half years ago, my youngest son and I flew to California in October. We were flying out to attend the birthday and baptism of my nephew Tyler. It didn't hurt that we discovered that if we went to California for Tyler's birthday, we could trick or treat in shorts instead of coats. I was looking forward to relaxing from teaching school and from the preparations of getting our oldest daughter ready to serve a mission. She would leave about two weeks after our visit.

The morning after our arrival, Stacy, my sister-in-law, said that we would need to mix in some church service with our play time. I thought, "Even better, I can feel good about my getaway."  That weekend was the week prior to the voting in California on Prop 8, a controversial law that would decide whether or not same-sex marriage would be allowed in California, and local church leaders had asked the members to help support efforts to maintain marriage between a man and a woman. When I found out what we were doing, I was a little anxious. I hate confrontation. I don't like people to be upset with me, even strangers, but I knew that if the local leaders had asked for these activities to be done, it was what needed doing.

Saturday morning, we left bright and early to hang pamphlets supporting marriage between a man and a woman on doors. We had two people ask us to remove them and get off their driveways, but no truly angry experiences. As we reported our section back to the elders quorum president in my sister's ward, I felt like all was well. We left and attended a soccer game for me nephew. As we returned, Mark and Stacy said, "Now for the fun part!" Their tone left no doubt that fun was not coming.

Each family had been asked to have an adult hold signs on different corners around town. The signs simply said: "Vote Against Prop 8, Vote for Families." As we stood on our corner, I quickly discovered that their beautiful little community had a lot of people with different views than mine. For two hours I was repeatedly called names, honked at, and had a few more choice experiences.

A Small Kindness Can Bring So Much Sunshine

by Marisa Sharpe
Whenever I hear about families not knowing who their home teachers are or another round of direction from our priesthood leaders to do our home teaching (and visiting teaching for that matter), I lovingly think of the home teacher of my childhood. Because of his faithfulness in fulfilling this calling, I have a firm testimony of the importance of home teachers.

When I was quite young my dad was the bishop. There were eight children in our family, and from the outward, put-your-best-foot-forward Sunday appearance, I'm sure we looked like a model Mormon family. We were far from it, but I suppose it would have been easy for any home teacher to think, "The bishop's family is doing fine. I don't really have to check in on them." But Brother Washburn wasn't just any home teacher.

I'm actually surprised at how many vivid memories I have of him considering I was between ages three to nine during that time. Brother Washburn was an old man with thick, white, wavy hair and wrinkly skin. He moved slowly but had such sparkle in his eye.

I remember how he always gave his suit pants a quick tug at the knee before he sat down on our wobbly piano bench. He always sat on the piano bench. I remember him slowly walking up the street with his cane and a broad smile on his face especially for all the children.

One time he was quite ill, and I wanted to make a get well card for him. My mom said I could walk down to his house to deliver it. Sister Washburn welcomed me and led me to the bedroom where dear Brother Washburn was recuperating. I'm sure it wasn't much of a beautiful card from a five-year-old, but he and his wife seemed to cheer right up when I came to their home. I learned that day how a small kindness can bring so much sunshine to someone who isn't feeling well.

I Put My Trust in the Lord

by Coleen O. Simmons

In 1998, my husband and I received a mission call to Nairobi Kenya. We really had uncertain thoughts about going to a third-world country. Especially when my daughter told us about the headhunters that were there. We put that aside and thought of Nephi 3:7, "I will go and do the things which the LORD hath commanded."

We proceeded to get prepared to go with a few reservations. There were so many things that needed taken care of before we left--the taxes, our utilities, family matters, our home and many other things.

One day when I was talking to a friend she told me to be sure that when I was set apart to be sure that they told me that I would return. So when we were called to go see the presidency, they did set us apart and they gave us beautiful blessings, but they did not tell me that I would return.

The Friday before we were to leave, the terrorists bombed the American Embassy in Nairobi. Of course, this really upset us. We were not sure that we wanted to go. On Sunday, I asked LeGrande to give me a blessing and tell me that I would return. He gave me a beautiful blessing, but he did not tell me that I would return.

Facing My Physical Challenges with Faith and Work

by Karlee
(A Beehive in Young Women)
My name is Karlee, and I am 12 years old.

Karlee in 2012

In a conference talk, "The Race of Life," President Thomas S. Monson says: “How grateful we should be that a wise Creator fashioned an earth and placed us here, with a veil of forgetfulness of our previous existence so that we might experience a time of testing, an opportunity to prove ourselves in order to qualify for all that God has prepared for us to receive. Clearly, one primary purpose of our existence upon the earth is to obtain a body of flesh and bones.”

At a very early age I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. This has made my physical body not work the way I would like sometimes. Part of my test here on earth is to deal with my limitations as well as the occasional teasing that may come from me not being able to do all that someone without Cerebral Palsy can do. This test in my life is making me a stronger person and I will be blessed for being strong and overcoming these challenges.

Some of the challenges I’ve faced started with the doctors telling me I would never ride a bike, play basketball and even go to school with my friends.

I faced these challenges head on, and with the help of my parents and family and friends I’m able to do all the things the doctors said I couldn’t do.

Testimony: Tools for Me and My Family

by Jennifer Polatis 
I was given Daughters in My Kingdom and under the circumstances set it aside. I told myself that I would and could just get to it later. The funny thing is, is that I got called to be a Relief Society Historian and still had yet to read it... that very next day I started reading! I made sure that I had a pen and highlighter, for I knew that I was going to need it!

I am so thankful for Christ, and the life that He led and that He died for me.

 I loved reading about the beginnings of the Relief Society; I’ve never really paid much attention to the details. Joseph Smith was a wonderful prophet, and of course his wife just as incredible. I appreciate her drive and enthusiasm and how she would buoy up the women around her to serve.

Tesimony: Thankful for Service

by Bobbie Clarke 
I was so excited to get the Daughters in My Kingdom book. The sisters of the stake were so energetic when they told us about the book. As I started reading I had a hard time getting through the book. But there were parts here and there that really made me sit back and think. I can more appreciate my pioneer family for all that they went through so that I can live here in comfort.

Testimony: Women Are "The Lord's Secret Weapon"

by Jami Jensen
Daughters in My Kingdom is a beautifully written and illustrated book. It has been a joy to read. Some of the history is familiar to me. Some of it is not and has been interesting to learn. I love how the pictures take you back to a particular time and place. I feel that this book can connect generations of sisters by acting like a bridge. Each one of us can cross over to glean the spiritual strength and determination that can help us meet the demands of our day with that same faith in the future that past and present sisters who have preserved this great organization of women to this point.

Testimony: Feeling the Lord's Personal Love for Me

by Kris Wright

Several impressions come into my mind as I reflect over my readings of Daughters in My Kingdom. I have read it several times, hoping to better understand what the Lord wants me to gain from this book. It has been exciting to realize the magnitude of the Relief Society. It is a privilege to be a member of a divinely organized circle of sisterhood.

“Do the best you can. But I want to emphasize that it be the very best. We are too prone to be satisfied with mediocre performance. We are capable of doing so much better.”--Gordon B. Hinckley

As I read the inspiring stories in the lives of each of the sisters in the book, I can’t help but feel the divine love my Heavenly Father has for me personally. It encourages me to want to feel the guidance of the Spirit more in my personal life.

I realize how each of these sisters was so close to the Spirit. I know each one of us is daughter of our Heavenly Father who loves us. He wants the best for each of us. He also wants to be able to have us help one another and be His hands on this earth.